Newbie Intro and Question(s)
Hey everyone. I'm been browsing the site for awhile but just recently 'joined the family.' Lots of good people and information here. I have been fishing all my life, but didn't get into salt-water fishing until my freshman year of college at USA in Mobile, 9 years ago. I spent way more time fishing at the coast than studying. That (and running out of money) are the reasons I only was at South for one semester. Anyway, I've basically been squeezing surf/pier fishing in whenever we vacation down at Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Pensacola.
I am planning a weekend trip to the pier for me, my son, my brother, and his son for late summer/early fall of this year. Do y'all have any recommendations for timing? I'm basically aiming for not too hot, not too cold for the boys. And I just want to catch some fish. Don't really care about size or species. For them, anything with fins would tickle them to death. I have a decent array of rods and gear, so I'm open to any input.
That leads me to my next question. I have one rig that I call my "anything that swims" rod. It is an Abu 7000ic3 on a MH Ugly-Stick Tiger rod. It is for giant cats, big gar, or any other monsters up here in the freshwater, but doubles as a stout rig for bigger fish in the salty stuff. I'm building another "anything that swims" rod. I have a Penn FTH 30, and need help with what rod to pair it with. I love the Tiger rod, but welcome any suggestions. Would the MH Tiger be too light for that reel?
Third question - The Abu works reels and casts very smoothly (as it should), but the clicker doesn't click. Does anyone know a good reel-repair guy? It is only 6 years old. Wifey bought it for me new, and I'd like to keep it in perfect shape, especially if we tear into something of decent size on this trip.
Thanks very much in advance, guys!
